Thursday, May 6, 2010

Despite attempts to thwart the use of size-0 models, many in the fashion industry have dug in their heels, continuing to send stick-thin models down the runways and slather their images all over the pages of magazines.

One exception is Matan Uziel, Verbmodel, Inc.'s Senior Executive, and Ambassador for the National Eating Disorder Association (NEDA).

Matan Uziel, Verbmodels, Inc.

"We must do everything we can in order to ensure another model won't fall victim of anorexia. The issue of size zero or "skinny models" has to be dogged by fashion shows and the beauty industry around the world"(Matan Uziel, Verbmodels, Inc.)

On the morning of April 25, 2010, Matan held a press conference on the topic of "Fashion Industry May Be Fueling Eating Disorders In Women," claiming more focus is needed on reducing obsessive dieting, bad eating habits and body dissatisfaction amongst young people around the world, filled with promise and talent.

"It's a mistake to think that Anorexia nervosa among models has somewhat receded, because it's still occurring in fashion industry," protested Uziel. No one is saying fashion causes all eating disorders, but with the fashion industry seemingly pushing for smaller and skinnier models and the press portraying them as something special, there is plenty of blame for an eating disorder and the media can be partially responsible.

Natalia Vodianova by Peter Lindbergh for David Yurman.

When a reporter asked a question regarding whether Uziel thinks that the fashion industry fueling the rise in eating disorders, answered Uziel that "fashion has a bad reputation as a whole, it's notoriously animal unfriendly, and pushes unhealthy body trends to the masses, and there are many people especially in this industry that are responsible for the current situation around the world, but not only them."

Uziel thinks that "it's obvious that a vast change would only come from the inside, where positive role models should take the reins and set a good example on young girls."

One of the more interesting moments came when a journalist asked him if they at NEDA were trying to recruit any top models to spread the word, Uziel replied, "I was trying to contact Natalia Vodianova for many times through the Naked Heart Foundation and different agents in order to ask for her help but I have never heard back and I felt very disappointed and frustrated.

"So, though Vodianova attends the CFDA's panel talks on model health and body image in the fashion industry, she doesn't seem to take any significant, strong positions to fight the rigid body ideals that contribute to body dissatisfaction and eating disorders which is a shame, and on behalf of the National Eating Disorders Association, I urge Ms. Vodianova to take responsibility as a public figure and begin to challenge some of the assumptions that the only way to be beautiful and successful is to be thin," added Uziel.

"The issue of eating disorders can be remarkably fortunate with regard to its celebrity support. And in particular, Vodianova, can help advance the issue in a very specific and much-needed area," he summarized.